Changing HIV Epidemic in North-Eastern India and Its Relationship with Development and Programmatic Indicators ()
ABSTRACT
Background:
Although there has been significant reduction in HIV prevalence and new HIV
infections in India, some of the low/moderate prevalence states have been
showing long term increase in HIV prevalence and new HIV infections. Assam, a
state in northeast India is one such low HIV prevalence state where HIV
prevalence and new HIV infections have almost doubled in the last few years.
This study examined the trend of HIV prevalence across districts/regions of
Assam and its association with developmental and program indicators. Materials
and Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of secondary data from the
National AIDS Control Program, Census of India-2011, and District Level
Household and Facility Survey-3 was conducted. The time period covered under
the secondary data analysis was 2007 to 2012. Correlation and Chi-square for
trend tests were also used in this paper. Results: During 2007 and 2012, HIV
positivity (%) increased relatively in North Assam (46.9%) followed by South
Assam (11.5%) while there has been a relative decline in West Assam (﹣51.5%).
Correlation analysis showed statistically significant association between HIV
prevalence and female literacy, population using mobile phone, population using
internet, women (15 - 49 years) seeking treatment for any STI/RTI, proportion
of brothel based FSWs, FSWs having <5 clients per week and proportion of
condom utilized annually. Conclusion: Program efforts in the state should be
focus on the districts with increasing HIV prevalence. Emphasis should be given
in planning strategies to address the program gaps among the high risk and
vulnerable populations in the state.
Share and Cite:
Bhattacharjya, C. , Patel, S. , Panda, S. and Deb, A. (2015) Changing HIV Epidemic in North-Eastern India and Its Relationship with Development and Programmatic Indicators.
World Journal of AIDS,
5, 265-274. doi:
10.4236/wja.2015.53030.
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